If only she knew then what she knows now. Would it have changed anything? No but at least she would have been prepared. She knew raising two kids was going to be difficult; not as difficult as it really turned out to be.

As she got out of bed she reflected on she had learned, so far, from motherhood.

The first lesson was the value of sleep. It always seemed that at the first crack of dawn, Teresa was up and ready for attention. She made her needs known loudly without out regards to her sleeping brother in the crib next to her. It could have been her way of letting them know that not only did she need attention but Jose also need at new diaper, but what toddler takes that into consideration when they wake up in the morning?

The second life lesson was the value of Kenneth. She loved him with all her heart but she learned to appreciate him more as the raised their two children side by side. Kenneth’s presence made it possible for both Teresa and Jose to learn to walk, talk and use the potty by themselves.

Kenneth also lessened her work load by taking care of some of the household chores, without being asked. He saw what needed to be done and did it. The yard had looked like crap, she was embarrassed about how neglected it had become but on her things to do list, the yard was on the bottom. Kenneth took care of it on his first day off.

Kenneth was even Teresa’s homework helper on those nights when Maria was so tried she could barely keep her eyes open. Sometimes she felt guilt, she was the one that work in at a school. Shouldn’t she be the one that helps her daughter with her homework?

Kenneth was wonderful, great, the best. She didn’t know how she could have ever took him for granted.

Not all the lessons were happy lessons, she also learned so painful ones. She wished that she was the only one that had learned this lesson but the children learned it too. Maria had brought Cutie when she moved to Oasis Valley, Cutie had been her companion through some lonely times.

Maria hadn’t meant to neglect Cutie but with the children and house, somehow the cat fell through the cracks. It came as a shock when the animal control officer came to collect the animal.

Maria wished that Teresa had been at summer school when cutie was taken but it was the weekend. Teresa ran to the car in tears pleading with the office to let them keep her.

Jose ran to his room and cried in his pillow. Kenneth went to console Jose as Maria comforted Teresa.

This has not been a good round for pets so far. I didn’t mention it in the McDaniel’s post but Charles dog (forgot name) was also taken by animal control because of neglect. I have a tendency to forget that the pets are there tell it is too late. Luckily, there are two more households with pets, Wilson and Schmidt.

I am so happy that Teresa and Jose are now children. It was hard raising the two of them. I don’t know why.